On Alabama politics and media, let the buyer beware (Matt Murphy)

on the complexity of political ideology versus a willingness to accept available campaign/event donations from an ideologically opposed organization is an example of how often journalists get it right.

And maybe I don't say that enough.

Dean notes (for you lazy ones who did not bother to click the link) the determination by Attorney General Luther Strange (a Republican) to shut down much of the gambling operations of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Strange, correctly in my opinion, contends the Indian tribes are engaging in illegal behavior in Alabama. What is illegal for others in the state (see Milton McGregor VictoryLand shutdown) is also illegal for the Indians, the AG says. This argument is set for court. Game on.

Contrast this, Dean writes, with the willingness of other high-ranking members of the GOP to take donations from the same Poarch Band to benefit a conference scheduled for Mobile in July. He notes the possible perception of hypocrisy, takes comment from all sides, presents the facts, and ultimately allows the reader to reach their own conclusions.

Depending on your point of view, you might take some exception with this or that, but overall Chuck Dean does his job. He presents information and allows

YOU

to draw conclusions. With 35 years in the business, Chuck's journalistic ethics are beyond reproach. Aside from his being a Cardinals fan, Chuck is OK by me. (Go Braves.)

Overall I believe the vast majority of the "legit" media to lean left. I observe and expect this only because most reporters, columnists, editors, etc. are themselves liberal. This personal bias cannot help but creep into the angles exposed by reporters, or the opinions taken by opinion writers. I consider myself no exception to this "bias creep." I am a libertarian. My position on issues will affect my world view. It will also affect my radio show and this column.

Unfortunately ... that's not what I'm writing about today. Bias is one thing. Deceit is another.

When it comes to credibility in reporting Alabama political news, let the buyer beware. While some print and online publications take great effort to insure their credibility, others have allowed themselves to be corrupted. In today's 24/7 media environment, its difficult for the busy mom or dad to know the difference. I am here to expose those who are lying to you. I will not default on my duty.

Meet Exhibit A. Meet Bill Britt.

Bill controls and operates a web news site called the Alabama Political Reporter. He presents himself as an unbiased journalist. He also writes editorial comment on his site and claims to be an ideological conservative. He enjoys press credentials at the State House. Bill's site has been in operation (and in Alabama) since 2011.

At some point along the way, his site became an extension of the Alabama Education Association's propaganda.

I often get accused of over explaining things, so allow me to be concise.

Bill Britt is "editor-in-chief" of a blog which purports to be a news site. Britt accepts money from AEA to place ads on his blog. OK. Weird for a 'conservative' but not that unusual. But that's not all.

Britt is living in Henry Mabry wife's house.

Seriously. He lives in her old house. And not once, while supporting AEA and slamming conservatives in the State House, has he bothered to mention it.

For those of you out of the loop, Henry Mabry is the executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association. AEA wants to bring down the powerful GOP leaders in Montgomery and they aren't afraid pay to do it.

As Bill Britt often writes scathing pseudo-editorial pieces ripping into GOP leadership and recently sided with AEA against the Alabama Accountability Act, his living arrangements are an extreme conflict of interest. AEA is the largest special-interest group in Alabama with no less than 48 registered lobbyists on Goat Hill. AEA is willing to buy influence when necessary. AEA as recently as this month used a Bill Britt piece "with permission" on the front page of the AEA Journal

.

How can someone who wants to be taken seriously as a journalist not see the clear conflict of interest?

When confronted with this information on my morning radio show, Britt did not deny living in a house owned by the head of AEA. He refused to tell me how much he pays Dana Mabry in rent, insinuated there was no ethical dilemma because his wife was actually on the lease, accused me of working for Mike Hubbard (a popular target of his) and hung up on me.

I asked several of my friends in the news business how they would view a situation like this. They 100% agreed it was bad news. Looks bad. Smells bad. When asked how their employers would view the arrangement, most told me they would likely be fired.

In 2014, expect AEA to run ads using quotes from the Alabama Political Reporter. They do this expecting the average mom and dad in Alabama to accept this as from a credible news source. Little do Mom and Pop know the entire thing was a set up from the start.

The teachers' union has long been a corrosive force in Alabama politics. National media outlets have monitored their tactics, which have allowed them to control public policy in our state for the last half-century. With the stranglehold on paid-for politicians loosening, it seems AEA has moved to new tactics ... such as trying to buy the media.

But this revelation begs other questions: Who else is being paid?

If the AEA is secretly serving up their propaganda to the unsuspecting public via a supposedly legitimate news source, what other means are they using to advance their agenda?

Is Britt taking marching orders from AEA? Is there a legitimate reason he has not mentioned his relationship with the teachers union boss while writing pieces supporting their positions?

I don't know. It smells fishy. Ask around. Question who's lurking in the shadows funding propaganda posing as news. Turn on the light of truth.

Cockroaches hate the light.

And after all that ... maybe you can get a straight answer from Bill Britt.

He hung up on me.

Matt Murphy is a radio talk show host in Birmingham on 100WAPI. He can be heard weekdays from 6 am to 11 am on 100.5 FM, 1070 AM or online at www.100wapi.com. Reach Matt: matt@murphyshow.com or Twitter: @mattmurphyshow